The Four Methods of Music Therapy

The Four Methods of Music Therapy One of our most commonly received questions is: What exactly *is* music therapy? An in-depth way to answer this question is to explain the four methods of music therapy. In other words, the ways that we actually implement the use of music in therapy sessions with our clients!Follow along in this blog to learn more about how music therapists think creatively and use research-based methods to work on goals with our clients.

• 1. Receptive

Receptive music therapy techniques are mostly passive and involve listening. Music therapists can implement this method by playing either live or recorded music (usually music chosen based on the client's preferred genre) and/or by teaching progressive muscle relaxation and breathing techniques that go along with the music.Receptive is more than just listening to music; it’s a very intentional use of music to address specific goal areas. Goal areas for receptive methods may include, but are not limited to: promoting stimulation or relaxation, facilitating memory or reminiscence, developing auditory skills, enhancing mood, and reducing anxiety (Parkinson, 2020). In addition, they could be used to affect and stabilize heart rate or respiratory rate, or to decrease pain (Harmony Garden). Such goals may be seen addressed in the nursing home or hospital setting. 

• 2. Recreative

Recreative music therapy methods revolve around creating music. This could look like the client playing an instrument (either to live or recorded music of their preferred genre), composing a song with the music therapist, or generally singing or making music while also working towards reaching goals. Goal areas include: strengthening gross/fine motor skills, promoting social interaction and turn taking, encouraging the use of one side of the body, and fostering self-expression through instrument playing or singing (Parkinson, 2020). Recreative music therapy techniques can help improve the client’s quality of life by giving them a medium to express their emotions, communicate through music-making, and build rapport with the therapist and others such as in a group setting. One example for where these goals may be implemented include the clinic setting.

• 3. Improvisation

Improvising is when the music therapist and client make music together in the moment in order to express the client’s emotions (Ellis, 2016). Together, a melody can sung spontaneously or instruments can be played. Drumming is a popular way to improvise together, as playing drums can be cathartic and useful for expressing feelings of frustration that are difficult to process verbally. Body percussion can also be used improvisationally. Body percussion is the use of your body (i.e. clapping, snapping, stomping, etc.) to play rhythms without an instrument. Goal areas may include: facilitating communication in music, increasing autonomy in making choices, and developing the capacity for relationship building through music (Parkinson, 2020). This is a really great method to use in adolescent group settings! 

• 4. Composition

Composition is the last main technique used by music therapists, and it’s not as complicated as it may sound. You don’t have to be a composer, a musical artist, or a songwriter to be able to participate in or carry out this intervention! Composition methods may include writing music and/or lyrics with the client, or having them bring song lyrics or music they’ve written to the session. Typically the client and therapist work together on this, and many music therapists employ a strategy called piggyback songs. To write a piggyback song, you take a really well-known melody and change the lyrics to fit the theme you’re writing about. This makes it much more simple because you don’t have to start your composition from scratch and by using a familiar tune, you are able to keep the focus on the lyrics, where the therapist and client can do some verbal processing in regards to lyric meanings. In addition, music therapists can re-write existing songs by changing some of the lyrics and therefore changing the meanings and make them more relatable and personalized for the client. Of course, the client and therapist can also compose entirely unique music. The method of composition is creative and empowering. Some goals could be: exploring relationship dynamics and beliefs about oneself, expressing self non-verbally, promoting speech or developmental goals, and working on movement goals (Harmony Garden). Of course this established method may be used in a plethora of settings, but one example is via telehealth sessions.   There you have it! The four main methods that music therapists use in their practices. Music therapists- what specific interventions do you use with your clients? Do you use all four of these methods in each of your sessions, or do you favor one depending on your clientele? Written by Molly Harrell, MT-BC References:Ellis, Alexandra. (2016, December 11). Improvisation. Music Therapy With Adolescents. https://blogs.cuit.columbia.edu/are2126/2016/12/11/improvisation/Parkinson, Mary. (2020, July 15). The four types of interventions in music therapy. Wellington Music Therapy.https://wellingtonmusictherapyservices.com/the-four-types-of-interventions-in-music-therapy/So what does that look like exactly? Part I: Receptive music. (n.d.) Harmony Garden Music Therapy. Retrieved June 11, 2024 from https://hgmusictherapy.com/so-what-does-that-look-like-exactly-part-i-receptive-music/So what does that look like exactly? Part IV: Improvisation. (n.d.) Harmony Garden Music Therapy. Retrieved August 13, 2024 from https://hgmusictherapy.com/so-what-does-that-look-like-exactly-part-iv-improvisation/